Spain are into the quarter-finals — and still yet to concede a goal. Substitute Mikel Merino struck a 91st-minute winner to settle a tight last-16 tie 1-0 against Portugal at AT&T Stadium, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s tournament. Here are our Spain player ratings. For more, see our World Cup 2026 hub.
Key match stats
| Stat | Spain | Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 15 | 10 |
| Shots on target | 6 | 2 |
Spain player ratings vs Portugal
- GK — Unai Simón: 7/10 — Kept yet another clean sheet; Portugal managed just two shots on target.
- RB — Pedro Porro: 7/10 — Reliable down the right and got forward.
- CB — Pau Cubarsí: 7.5/10 — Composed and commanding (92% passing).
- CB — Aymeric Laporte: 7/10 — Assured alongside Cubarsí.
- LB — Marc Cucurella: 7/10 — Solid on the left with 92% passing.
- DM — Rodri: 7.5/10 — Controlled the tempo across 90 minutes (94% passing).
- CM — Pedri: 7.5/10 — Pulled the strings with 93% passing before being rested.
- RW — Lamine Yamal: 7.5/10 — Spain’s biggest threat with three shots and three dribbles.
- AM — Dani Olmo: 7/10 — Bright between the lines with two efforts.
- AM — Álex Baena: 6.5/10 — Busy with three shots before being withdrawn.
- ST — Mikel Oyarzabal: 7/10 — Led the line willingly and tested the keeper twice.
Substitutes
- Mikel Merino: 8.5/10 — The matchwinner. Off the bench to strike the 91st-minute winner and send Spain through.
- Ferran Torres: 7.5/10 — Provided the assist for the winner moments after coming on.
- Fabián Ruiz: 6.5/10 — Helped Spain see it out.
Portugal vs Spain: how it unfolded
A tight, tense last-16 tie stayed goalless through 90 minutes, Spain shading the chances 15-10 as Cristiano Ronaldo’s three efforts came to nothing. The breakthrough came deep into stoppage time: substitute Ferran Torres teed up fellow replacement Mikel Merino to fire home a 91st-minute winner. It sends Luis de la Fuente‘s side into the quarter-finals — still without conceding a single goal all tournament — and ends Portugal’s run.
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Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in the World Cup 2026 Round of 16, with a 91st-minute Mikel Merino winner.
Substitute Mikel Merino scored the only goal in the 91st minute, assisted by fellow substitute Ferran Torres.
Yes. Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in the Round of 16 to reach the quarter-finals, and are still yet to concede a goal at the tournament.
Substitute Mikel Merino won it with a late goal, while Lamine Yamal was Spain’s biggest threat throughout.